Spike in Holiday Hold Ups

Spike in Holiday Hold Ups

There has been an increase in bank robberies in New York City over the past week of this holiday season. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York City Police Department are asking for the public’s help locating the following suspects. Below are details from several armed bank robberies that are believed to be unrelated.

Tuesday December 9, 2014

At 4:55 p.m., on Tuesday December 9, 2014, a lone male entered the Chase Bank at 74-07 Eliot Avenue, Queens, New York. The suspect produced a withdrawal slip with a note which read something to the effect of: “I HAVE A GUN. I WANT 100s 50s 20s”. The suspect then brandished a black handle of a firearm in his jacket pocket. The teller passed cash through the teller tray. The suspect then fled the bank on foot, walking around the bank through the drive through area and heading north on 74th Street.

The suspect is believed to be connected to several other unsolved bank robberies beginning in 2012.

The suspect was described as male, approximately 5’ 9’’ tall, chubby build, possibility Dominican, and in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a gray skull cap, mirrored sunglasses, black and white fringed scarf, gray windbreaker, black shirt, carrying a clear umbrella and a black handled pistol.

Tuesday December 9, 2014

On Tuesday December 9, 2014, at 11:30 a.m., a lone male entered the HSBC Bank at 145 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York. The suspect approached the victim teller, displayed a demand note and brandished a handgun, pointing it at the teller. The suspect fled northbound on Fifth Avenue after robbing the bank.

The suspect is described as a white male and approximately 5’10”. He was last seen wearing a brown flat cap or newsboy cap with earflaps, a winter scarf around his face, a navy blue or black overcoat and dark gloves. He was carrying a black semi-auto handgun.

Saturday December 6, 2014

At a few minutes before 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014, a lone male entered the Alma Bank 213-11 Northern Boulevard in Queens. He approached a banker sitting in a cubicle with several customers, pointed a gun at her face, and grabbed her by the back of the neck, pushing her head down towards the teller window.

One of the tellers saw what was happening and immediately began pushing cash through the teller tray. The suspect stuffed the cash into his coat pockets, dropping bills on the counter and floor and leaving a trail as he exited the branch. The suspect fled west out of the bank, up 213th Street and into the passenger side of a waiting black or dark colored car. The car headed in an unknown direction on 43rd Avenue.

The suspect is described as 5’9’’ to 6’ tall, fit, wearing a black leather jacket, black hoodie, black mask, thick black gloves, black pants, and black shoes. He carried a silver and black semi-auto handgun with a black grip.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 212-384-1000 or the NYPD at 800-577-TIPS. Tipsters may remain anonymous. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.